[Bird Feeder]

I see so little posted about ECT I was wondering how many people are doing it or have done it in the past? I have been doing ECT every 2 weeks for 2 1/2 years, with a few longer series stuck in there. It has really helped my suicidal thoughts and I know I would not be here without it. I actually want to write a thank you letter to my insurance company for covering my treatments, well almost covering my treatments. Anyone else?

I went through ECT twice in the past. It was life-saving for me.

[Bird Feeder]

It doesn't seem to be a very popular treatment. It has been a life saver for me also. Maybe no one WANTS to talk about it. Oh well, good luck to you.

Two courses of treatments in the past. And yes, I don't believe I would be here if it wasn't for it.

According to the ECT people I've had 51 treatments. However only the first few were real treatments - the last 45 or so they just tricked me into undergoing anesthesia so they could remove my memories without the mood benefits ECT has. That's the reason the first few did have some effect (I'd quit eating and drinking and stared into space all day, after a few ECT treatments I started eating and drinking again) and the others did not.

[Bird Feeder]

I am so sorry Breadfish that the ECT stopped working, I hope you have something that is working better for you.

[Ocean Swimmer]

My experience is all bad.
Raised my blood pressure.
Completely wiped out huge blocks of time I'm not getting back.
Messed up my short term memory too.
Had 12-15 treatments. Last one Sept 2015.
Never again.

There are a lot of truths and mistruths out there revolving around the therapy. If you have concerns you should talk about this with your doctor. In my case they gave me a video to watch that detailed - and showed - the therapy being performed. This lightened my fears and concerns a great deal.

[Crook32]

I just finished my second course of ECT. This time we did bilateral. I hate the memory loss that I have. I am also having the feeling of brain zaps which are not fun.

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Originally Posted by Crook32

I just finished my second course of ECT. This time we did bilateral. I hate the memory loss that I have. I am also having the feeling of brain zaps which are not fun.

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About the brain zaps: Are you on a medication they have you not take or take late because of the ECT? If so, that is probably the cause of the brain zaps. That's a common withdrawal symptoms with psych meds. I know I had to not take lamictal and it seems like something else, and other meds had to be taken after the treatment so I was taking them late.

[ickydog2006]

I've had 8 treatments in the past (Monday, Wednesday, Friday ). I'm glad I tried it, I was desperate, but I think meds is what caused my improvement, not the ECT. I was suffering from Depression but what I was in for was schizophrenia, and hallucinations. Once I was back stabilized on meds, I was naturally less depressed. I still suffer from Depression, but meds help, and normally the only time it gets really bad is when I'm PMSing. I also had severe memory issues from treatments, but am now back to normal. My memory is still horrible, but it was way worse right after ECT and I lost a lot from the year prior to ECT that never came back.

I'm having treatments now. Ever since August I've had them. I don't know if they're helping or not.

[nicoleb2]

Had several treatments a few years ago. Didn't help AND I have a lot of long term memory loss. My childhood, wedding, older kids toddler and preschool years are all gone

[Marylin]

ECT did work for me, it saved my life cos without it I would have killed myself.I was in the deep dark pit of depression and suicidal every day for about eight years,the ECT turned severe depression into light depression,most of all it took away the suicidal feelings.

[tydygy]

I am interested in ECT but I have heard that people have memory loss and that scares me. I've been on meds that effected my memory and I need it to do my work.

I thought ECT is a one time thing. Do successive treatments help more?

My doctor offered it to me but I have too much fear of losing my memory...but I hear it's great...and I'm all for anesthesia.

Is it worth the side effects overall?

[Bird Feeder]

I have had treatments every 2 weeks, with a few courses (8-12 in a row), for the past 3 years. I have the treatment early in the morning and am able to go to work the same day. I receive ECT bilaterally. My memory loss is more the type where I forget something that happened a few months before. Not big stuff like weddings, etc. Just little things like calling a friend, seeing a show, etc.

The treatments have really helped my suicidal ideation, which was constant. I still have some breakthrough suicidal thoughts but have started a low dose of clozaril to help that. All in all I know it has saved my life a thousand times over.

Good luck to you.

[Sad Eyes Sparkle 2]

I did ECT~ but it didn't help/work.

[Jolisse]

Does ECT help anxiety as well as depression?

[ZombieGuy]

I've had it twice I'm due to have another session in the near future. It has helped a little but hasn't been an instant cure.